Big ups to cornerback Artie Burns and safety Deon Bush—two former Miami Hurricanes defenders ready to take their talents to the next level. Burns was the first round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2016 NFL Draft, while Bush went days later to the Chicago Bears in the fourth round.
Outside of that it was *crickets* for the football factory once-known as NFL U—thought flashes of yesteryear were on full display due to an almost-broken record. Ohio State served up five first-round Buckeyes on day one of the Draft—one shy of Miami’s record in 2004 when Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow II, Jon Vilma, D.J. Williams, Vernon Carey and Vince Wilfork all went between picks No. 5 and No. 21.
Six first rounders certainly isn’t a fair benchmark for the Canes—or any program, for that matter—but it’s certainly a reminder that Miami’s recent Draft Day presences has been weak-as-hell. “The U” needs to get back to NFL U-type ways—and fast—starting at the top with player development, proper schemes and a winning attitude, fixing a broken culture and eliminating a deep-rooted loser’s mentality.
A half dozen Hurricanes signed free agent deals soon after this year’s Draft was in the books, which is a nice consolation for players like defensive tackles Calvin Heurtelou and Ufomba Kamalu—two transfers that arguably wouldn’t have ever been at Miami if not for a lack of depth and some down years for the program.
Heurtelou was a 3-star product out of New York who wound up in Coral Gables by way of Scottsdale Community College, while Kamalu was a 2-star product out of Georgia who ended up with the Canes after a few seasons at Butler Community College in Kansas. Both had serviceable careers at Miami—part of the Al Golden regime; one that shredded for piss-poor defense and lack of playmakers.
Heurtelou is headed to Denver, while Kamalu is Houston-bound.
Where this year’s NFL Draft proved frustrating—fingers again pointed at Golden and staff for a lack of players development; seeing a handful of highly-touted, quality kids not get their numbers called.
Tracy Howard wound up at Miami a 5-star prospect, once ranked the top cornerback in the nation and destined to play for Florida before a last-minute change of heart kept him home. Howard signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Tyriq McCord was a 4-star defensive end out of Tampa who chose Miami on national television at the U.S. Army All-American game in 2011. Somewhat lost in the system Golden and coordinator Mark D’Onofrio rolled out, McCord bounced between defensive end and linebacker—misused much like former Canes end Anthony Chickillo, who never reached his collegiate potential in Golden’s system but is carving out a niche in the NFL with the Steelers.
McCord will get a shot with Pittsburgh—joining Burns and Chickillo—but the free agent route shouldn’t have been the case for a kid with that kind of talent.
Rashawn Scott and Herb Waters were a pair of 3-star wide receivers with big-time potential written all over them, but neither went next-level—both battling injuries, while Scott was his own worst enemy off-the-field. Scott will get a chance with the hometown Dolphins, while Waters will hopefully be on the right end of some Aaron Rodgers‘ passes with the Packers.
To date, no one has dialed up former 4-star linebacker Raphael Kirby free agent-wise. The Georgia product had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Southern Cal, Tennessee and over two dozen powerhouses in total.
Five years later he can’t even get a shot to play at the next level? Chalk another up to poor development and misuse by the former staff.
As happens when one era end and another begins—the aftermath, failures and stench of the previous regime are played out in many ways, shapes and forms.
Walk-ons aside, Miami has upwards of 10 seniors who will wait for their numbers to be called in next year’s Draft. Lucky for them, there’s at least a dozen more games to shine on the collegiate level—while playing in a more-suitable system under new head coach Mark Richt.
On offense, wideout Stacy Coley, tight end Standish Dobard and lineman Danny Isadora and Alex Gall will benefit from new coaches Ron Dugans (wide receivers), Todd Hartley (tight ends), Thomas Brown (co-offensive coordinator), Stacy Searels (offensive line) and Richt.
The other side of the ball features Manny Diaz (defensive coordinator / linebackers), Craig Kuligowski (defensive line), Mike Rumph (cornerbacks), Ephraim Banda (safeties)—who will work to break bad habits and teach a handful of senior defenders.
Defensive backs Jamal Carter and Corn Elder and linebacker Jermaine Grace are being afforded a second chance guys like Howard, McCord and Kirby would’ve killed for.
Even Bush, for that matter—the 4-star prospect going in the fourth round—after choosing Miami over Alabama and Auburn the same time and place McCord pledged his allegiance to the Canes.
While there’s genuine joy for guys like Burns and Bush getting the call, while others will at least get their chance to make their mark as undrafted free agents—it’s impossible to not look at the situation as a whole and shake one’s head regarding the current Draft Day State of The U.